Tipperary Tourism: The Glen of Aherlow

The Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary

The Glen of Aherlow is a scenic valley that sits between Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains in the western part of South Tipperary in Ireland.  The principal village in the valley is Lisvernane.  Other adjacent centres of population are the villages of Galbally on the western fringe, Kilross (on the north west front) and Bansha which commands the eastern approach.  Tipperary Town lies to the north of Slievenamuck.

There are a wide range of visitor attractions in the Glen of Aherlow including:

• Walking and Trekking holidays:

National Loop Walks

There are two national loop walk trail heads in the Glen of Aherlow – Christ the King and Lisvarrinane Village. There are 8 loop walks ranging from half hour to 4 hours walking time across Slievenamuck through miles of forest track with spectacular views over the valley and to the Galtee Mountains.

Lake Walks on Galtee Mountains

There are two lake walks – Lough Curra and Lake Muskry. The walks are up to 4 hours for the casual walker. These routes take you onto the Galtee Mountains where you can enjoy clear air, superb views, corrie lakes, wooded foothills, mountain streams and open moorland.

Maps are available for the National Loop Walks and the Lake Walks from the tourist office – call on [+353] (0)62 56331 or email info@aherlow.com

Advanced Walks

For the more serious and seasoned walkers there is unlimited trekking on the Galtee Mountains. The Galtees are Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, with a variety of peaks including Galtymore at 3,018 feet (919m). There are five corrie lakes on the range, accessible only by foot, to add to the attractiveness of the range.

Guided Walks

An experienced, local guide Mike Moroney will take you off the beaten track away from the usual routes into the real wilderness of the Glen. The walks can be customised according to your requirements; you choose the length of time, the level of difficulty and the pace. Book your guided walk through the Glen of Aherlow, Tipperary by calling [+353] (0)62 56331 or email info@aherlow.com or call Mike directly on +353 (0)87 9267948 or email aherlowwalks@gmail.com

GPS Walks

Learn how to navigate using a GPS – GPS available from the walking guide, Mike Moroney or alternatively you can bring your own. Book your GPS walk through the Glen of Aherlow, Tipperary by calling [+353] (0)62 56331 or email info@aherlow.com or call Mike directly on +353 (0)87 9267948 or email aherlowwalks@gmail.com

Galtee Walking Club
Established in January 2003 the Galtee Walking club now has over 120 members.  The Club meets every Sunday throughout the year for variety of mountain, road or forest track walks, led by Club Leaders you will enjoy a variety of walks ranging from 2 – 6 hours depending on level with the added pleasure of local history and heritage.

From May to September there is also a Wednesday evening walk, this is usually a 3-hour walk on forest tracks.

The Galtee Walking Club welcomes visiting walkers; their quarterly schedule is available from The Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society on [+353] (0)62 56331 or email info@aherlow.com and will also be displayed by all accommodation providers. Visit http://www.galteewalkingclub.ie/ for more information.

Walking Festival

3 day walking annual walking festival on June Bank Holiday Weekend. Groups, clubs and individual walkers welcome, 3 guided walks each day, excellent accommodation available and nightly entertainment.  Click here for the Walking Festival June 2011 Brochure and click here for the Walking Festival Online Booking Form.

• The Glen of Aherlow Nature Park

The entrance to the park is adjacent to the Christ the King Statue and parking/viewing area, and is marked by an oak panel on supporting posts.  There is a map panel at the start of the walk showing the route and marks out interesting features along the way.  The park begins with steps leading down to a wooden bridge crossing a small stream, and into the woods.

The walk takes approximately one hour to finish, through 50 acres of pure woodland.  It is a circular trek returning to the same start point.  The woodland is the habitat of many animals and birds, such as foxes, red and grey squirrels, and blackbirds.

Lenihan’s Cottage, an old famine house now in ruins, was a dwelling place for small farmers and labourers.  The cottage dates back to 1845 – 1870, around the time of the famine.  The cottage was thatched, consisting of two rooms with an adjoining building to house a cow or a pig.

• Cycling Holidays

Two parallel roads run the length of the Glen of Aherlow and they are linked by several other narrow roads.  These create small loop cycles suitable for all the family and can be accessed from any point in the glen making it an ideal destination for your cycling holiday in Ireland.

• Horse Riding

Both the beginner and accomplished rider are well catered for by horseriding establishment within the Glen of Aherlow.  Riding Centres specialise in Pre-Hunting and Cross-Country Courses, Hacking and Trekking. Choose your route on the some of the most  breathtaking scenery  in Ireland, that runs over farmland, through forests or up the Galtee mountains to the corrie lakes.

Hilcrest Riding Centre, Galbally Co. Tipperary
Tel: [+353] (0)62 37915
www.irishabroad.com/travel/horseriding/hillcrest

Trail-riding point-to-point over the Ballyhoura/ Glen of Aherlow trail (1 week). First Class Tuition in Show Jumping, from beginners to advanced, and challenging Cross-Country Course with over 100 man-made and natural fences.
Pre-Hunting programmes and hunting holidays are a speciality.

• Fishing Holidays

The Glen of Aherlow is an ideal destination for your fishing holidays in Ireland, the River Aherlow offers Brown Trout and Perch, whilst just a short drive away the River Suir also has stocks of Salmon. Fishing permits can be obtained in the tourist office in Cahir +353 (0)52 41453, whilst no permit is required to fish in the River Aherlow. The River Blackwater in Fermoy is well stocked and again only a short drive away.

Imagine golden rays of sunshine reaching through a gentle mist, the dew still on the grass and trees and the fresh country air on your face. Mountains reach high up to the sky scored with gushing streams running to the meandering river as it winds its way though the valley past ancient monuments under the shade of the forest and onwards to the river Suir. Nothing beats early morning fishing in the River Aherlow, in such quiet and tranquil surroundings.

Further information available from:
Southern Regional Fisheries Board
Angelsea Street
Clonmel
Co. Tipperary
Tel: 052 80055
www.srfb.ie

• Golfing